Missional Calling Affirmed
The Missio Dei, or “mission of God,” is the foundation of God’s redemptive plan for humanity and creation. It is His active pursuit to restore, reconcile, and renew all things through Jesus Christ. As believers, we are not passive observers of this mission; we are invited to participate in it, embracing our “sentness” as those called to bring God’s kingdom into the world. The Bible offers us numerous examples of how God has always been on mission, sending His people to carry His love and message of salvation. Living out the Missio Dei involves understanding and articulating its biblical foundations, responding to it personally, recognizing where God is already at work, living compassionately toward others, and building communities that reflect God’s love. Below, we explore five practical approaches to how this can be done in everyday life.
1. Grounding in Scripture: Articulating the Missio Dei
Living out the mission of God begins with understanding the biblical foundation for God’s redemptive mission. Articulating the Missio Dei means recognizing God’s purpose throughout history, from the Old Testament promises to the New Testament’s fulfillment in Christ. By rooting ourselves in this biblical narrative, we come to see the broader scope of God’s work and our unique role in continuing it today.
Biblical Illustration
In Genesis 12:1-3, God’s call to Abram (later Abraham) set the foundation for the Missio Dei. God promised to bless Abraham and make him a blessing to “all the peoples of the earth.” This was radical in its ancient Near Eastern context, where deities were typically localized and associated with specific tribes or nations. Yahweh’s declaration that Abraham’s lineage would mediate blessings to all nations underscored His universal sovereignty and inclusive mission. For the original audience, Israel, this promise emphasized their role as a covenant people—set apart not for exclusivity but as a conduit of God’s blessing to the world.
In Matthew 28:18-20, known as the Great Commission, Jesus expanded on this calling. In the Roman-occupied world of first-century Judea, where diverse nations and cultures intersected, Jesus’ mandate to “go and make disciples of all nations” declared a revolutionary inclusivity. It signaled the dismantling of barriers—ethnic, cultural, and religious—highlighting that God’s mission transcended geographic and cultural boundaries.
Applications
- Study Scripture Regularly
Develop a habit of engaging deeply with Scripture to uncover how God’s mission unfolds across both the Old and New Testaments. For instance, take time to study passages like Genesis 12, Isaiah 49:6, or the Book of Acts, and observe how God is consistently working to redeem His creation. Make a journal or discussion guide where you note each time the Bible references God’s heart for the nations or His desire to reconcile people to Himself. Understanding this overarching theme shapes your worldview and empowers you to live with intentionality in your daily interactions. - Share with Others
Make it a point to communicate these biblical foundations in your everyday conversations, Bible studies, small groups, and most of all – everyday life! You could facilitate discussions that help others see how the Missio Dei is central to Scripture. For example, you might lead a group through a study on how God sends His people—from Abraham to Moses to Paul—and encourage others to reflect on how they too are sent. This regular articulation of the mission in the Bible fosters a missional mindset in your personal life and community.
2. Embracing Sentness: Responding Personally to the Missio Dei
Embracing your “sentness” is recognizing that God has personally called and equipped you to participate in His mission. Each believer is given the responsibility and privilege to live as an ambassador of God’s kingdom. This approach invites believers to move from passive spectators to active participants, recognizing that their lives—wherever they are—are part of God’s redemptive work in the world.
Biblical Illustration
In Isaiah 6:8, the prophet’s vision of God’s holiness in the temple leads to his response: “Here am I, send me!” For Isaiah’s audience, this moment emphasized their collective failure to live as God’s covenant people. Yet, Isaiah’s willingness to go—despite the daunting message he was tasked to deliver—demonstrated personal commitment to God’s mission. It reminds us that “sentness” begins with an encounter with God and a readiness to act, even in the face of challenges.
In Luke 10:1-2, Jesus sends out 72 disciples, instructing them to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick. This mission unfolded in a culture deeply divided along lines of ethnicity, religion, and class. By sending ordinary followers—not just the twelve apostles—Jesus affirmed the universal call of all believers to participate in His mission.
Applications
- Pray for Opportunities
Begin each day with the intentional prayer, “Lord, where are you sending me today?” Whether it’s a conversation at work, helping a neighbor, or interacting with someone in need, expect that God will provide opportunities for you to share His love and truth. For example, if you are a teacher, ask God how you can represent Him to your students. If you work in a corporate setting, look for ways to embody Christ through your ethics, kindness, and willingness to serve. - Take Action
Be willing to step into the moments God places before you, even when they require courage or sacrifice. If you feel God nudging you to talk to a coworker who’s struggling, don’t hesitate. If there’s an opportunity to join a mission trip, serve on a ministry team, or mentor a younger believer, respond with an open heart. Embracing “sentness” is an everyday decision to engage the world around you with the purpose of revealing Christ’s love and redemption.
3. Seeing God at Work: Identifying Missional Opportunities
A crucial part of living missionally is developing the awareness to see where God is already at work in the world. This involves a combination of research, observation, and spiritual discernment. Believers who cultivate this awareness are better able to align their actions with God’s ongoing work and respond in meaningful ways that advance His mission.
Biblical Illustration
Paul’s vision of a man pleading, “Come over to Macedonia and help us,” in Acts 16:9-10 marked a significant redirection in his missionary journey. For Paul, a Jew ministering in the Greco-Roman world, this call represented a leap into uncharted territory. The Macedonian region was a cultural melting pot, home to Roman citizens, Greek philosophers, and diverse religious practices. Recognizing God’s hand in this vision, Paul immediately obeyed, demonstrating a sensitivity to God’s guidance.
For early Christian communities, this episode illustrated the necessity of flexibility and attentiveness in mission. It underscored that God’s work often unfolds in unexpected places and ways, calling for a willingness to follow His lead.
Applications
- Pay Attention to Needs
Take time to look around and observe where there are needs in your community, workplace, or even globally. Whether it’s a social justice issue, a struggling local business, or people facing financial hardship, these situations often represent opportunities where God is calling you to act. For instance, if you notice a growing homeless population in your area, you could connect with local shelters or start organizing a group to provide meals and resources. Let God’s compassion guide you to the places that require His healing touch. - Engage with the Church
Participate in your local church’s efforts to discern God’s mission in the community. Churches often have outreach programs, mission trips, or service initiatives aimed at meeting practical and spiritual needs. Take an active role in these programs—whether it’s serving in a food pantry, partnering with international missionaries, or joining a prayer group focused on discernment. These are tangible ways to identify and align with God’s ongoing work, both locally and globally.
4. Living Compassionately: Embodying God’s Love
A key component of the Missio Dei is embodying God’s love in a broken world. This approach emphasizes the importance of demonstrating the Gospel not only through words but through acts of compassion, kindness, and justice. As believers, we are called to mirror God’s heart for the vulnerable and the marginalized, revealing His love through tangible actions.
Biblical Illustration
In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus described acts of compassion—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick—as direct service to Him. For His first-century audience, these acts represented radical countercultural behavior, as society often marginalized the poor, sick, and imprisoned. Jesus redefined true righteousness as loving and serving “the least of these.”
The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37 further emphasized this call. For Jesus’ Jewish audience, Samaritans were viewed with deep prejudice, making the Samaritan’s act of mercy revolutionary. By highlighting the Samaritan as the hero, Jesus shattered cultural and religious boundaries, teaching that God’s love transcends all divisions.
Applications
- Serve the Marginalized
Seek out opportunities to serve those who are often overlooked in society. Whether it’s volunteering at a homeless shelter, mentoring at-risk youth, or visiting nursing homes, acts of compassion are ways to embody the love of Christ. For example, you might dedicate time each week to serve meals at a local soup kitchen or become a regular volunteer at a refugee center. Through these small but significant actions, you reveal God’s love to those who might otherwise feel abandoned or forgotten. - Cultivate Compassion in Relationships
In addition to formal service, living out God’s love can be as simple as showing kindness and empathy in everyday relationships. Practice being a good listener, offering support to those who are going through difficult times, or providing encouragement to someone who needs it. For instance, if you know a coworker who is stressed, offer to help lighten their load or pray for them. Let your interactions with others reflect God’s unconditional love and care.
5. Fostering Community: Building Missional Communities
God’s mission is inherently communal, and fostering intentional relationships within the body of Christ and the broader community is a vital way to live missionally. Missional communities are spaces where believers live out their faith together, encouraging one another, serving the world, and welcoming others into God’s family. These communities provide both support and accountability as believers pursue the Missio Dei together.
Biblical Illustration
The early church in Acts 2:42-47 exemplified a missional community. In a culture where societal status, ethnicity, and religion divided people, the church’s communal living—characterized by generosity, shared resources, and mutual support—was radical and countercultural. Their commitment to fellowship, prayer, and breaking bread together not only strengthened their faith but also drew outsiders to the Gospel, showing how a unified and loving community could transform the world.
For early Christians living under Roman rule, this model of community offered a stark contrast to the hierarchical and self-serving values of the empire. It demonstrated the transformative power of the Gospel to create a new kind of society.
Applications
- Create Spaces for Community
Be intentional about creating environments where people can experience authentic Christian community. This could be through organizing small group Bible studies, hosting meals for neighbors, or creating a shared space where people can connect and grow together. For example, consider starting a weekly gathering in your home where believers and seekers alike can discuss faith, pray together, and support one another. These relational spaces foster spiritual growth and serve as platforms for inviting others into God’s mission. - Join Community Outreach
Participate in community service projects with others from your church or neighborhood, using these shared experiences to build deeper relationships and serve God’s mission. Whether it’s organizing a neighborhood cleanup, hosting a charity drive, or partnering with a local nonprofit, these collaborative efforts not only serve practical needs but also demonstrate God’s love and mission to the wider community.
Conclusion
Living out the Missio Dei is not a passive task but an active, daily calling that invites every believer to join God in His redemptive work. By grounding ourselves in Scripture, responding to our “sentness,” identifying where God is at work, living with compassion, and fostering missional communities, we are participating in God’s great plan to redeem and restore the world. These five approaches provide practical, tangible ways to engage with God’s mission in everyday life, transforming both ourselves and those we encounter as we live out His love and purpose in the world.
Dr. Curt Watke is a distinguished missiologist whose three-plus-decade-long career has significantly impacted Christian mission work in North America, particularly in under-reached and challenging regions. Holding a Ph.D. in Evangelism and Missions, Dr. Watke has focused on bridging cultural gaps and fostering sustainable Christian communities by developing innovative strategies that address contemporary challenges like globalization, urbanization, and religious pluralism. His emphasis on cultural sensitivity and contextualization in mission work is reflected in his collaborative writings, including notable works such as “Ministry Context Exploration: Understanding North American Cultures” and “Starting Reproducing Congregations.” Beyond his writing, Dr. Watke is a sought-after speaker and educator, lecturing at seminaries and conferences worldwide, and his teachings continue to inspire and equip new generations of missional leaders. His enduring legacy is marked by unwavering dedication to the mission of God and a profound influence on missional thought and practice. Dr. Watke serves as President and Professor of Evangelism & Missiology at Missional University.
